Antonelli leads United States GP grid and eyes championship in Austin

The 20‑year‑old Italian tops the starting grid for the Austin race, with a points scenario that could secure his first world championship.

By Felo News Desk · Published Sat, 24 Oct 2026 23:06:46 GMT

Kimi Antonelli secured pole position for the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas on Sunday, putting the 20‑year‑old Italian in a strong position to clinch the 2026 Formula 1 drivers’ championship.

What happened

Qualifying at the Austin circuit placed Antonelli first on the grid, followed by Max Verstappen in second and Isack Hadjar in third. The top ten also includes Lewis Hamilton (5th) and George Russell (6th). The grid list was published by The Independent after the final qualifying session on 24 October 2026.

What the reports add

The Independent provided the full starting order, noting that Antonelli leads Mercedes teammate George Russell by 102 points and would need to win the race while Russell finishes ninth or lower to clinch the title. The same outlet added that Antonelli also requires Lewis Hamilton to finish fifth or lower. The Guardian focused on the championship math, explaining that Antonelli must finish at least 125 points ahead of his rivals after the race to guarantee the championship, which translates to a win combined with low finishes for Russell and Hamilton. Both sources agree that the race is the opening round of a triple‑header that will continue in Mexico and Brazil.

What was said

There were no direct quotations in the source articles; all statements are presented as factual reporting by the outlets.

How it came about

Antonelli’s pole follows a podium finish in Singapore that extended his championship lead, as reported by The Independent. Earlier in the season, he topped the drivers’ standings with 302 points after the Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang, a race covered by Felo News (Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang). Max Verstappen, the defending champion, won the previous United States Grand Prix at COTA in 2025, and his recent form was highlighted in the same Independent article.

Key facts

Kimi Antonelli qualified on pole for the United States Grand Prix at COTA. (independent.co.uk)
Antonelli leads George Russell by 102 points in the drivers' standings. (independent.co.uk)
A win for Antonelli combined with Russell finishing ninth or lower and Hamilton finishing fifth or lower would secure the 2026 championship. (independent.co.uk)
The top ten grid includes Max Verstappen (2nd) and Lewis Hamilton (5th). (independent.co.uk)
Antonelli must finish at least 125 points ahead of rivals after the race to guarantee the title, according to The Guardian. (theguardian.com)

Timeline

2026-03-22 — Antonelli leads drivers' standings after Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang.
2026-09-17 — Max Verstappen wins United States Grand Prix at COTA (2025 edition).
2026-10-24 — Qualifying for United States Grand Prix, Antonelli on pole.